Cissy Houston: The Unsung Hero of Gospel

I remember the first time I heard Cissy Houston sing. I was six years old, sitting in church with my grandmother. The choir was singing "I Need You to Survive" and Cissy's voice soared above the rest. It was so clear and sweet, like a bird soaring through the air.
Cissy was born Emily Drinkard in Newark, New Jersey on September 30, 1933. Her mother, Delia Mae Drinkard, was a Pentecostal minister and her father, Nitcholas Drinkard, was a construction worker. From a young age, Cissy was surrounded by music. Her mother often sang in church and her father played the piano.
When Cissy was ten years old, she joined the Mount Zion Baptist Church choir. She quickly became a soloist and began singing at church functions and local venues. Cissy's talent was evident from the start. She had a natural ability to sing gospel music with passion and conviction.
In 1955, Cissy married Freddie Garland. They had four children together: Whitney, Gary, Michael, and Leon. Cissy divorced Garland in 1957, but they remained close friends. She then went on to perform and record with many of gospel music's biggest stars. She has sung on albums by Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Dionne Warwick.
In 1964, Cissy married John Russell Houston, Jr. They had one child together, CeCe. John Houston was also a gospel singer and the two often performed together.
Cissy's solo career took off in the 1970s. She released her first album, "Presenting Cissy Houston," in 1970. The album was a critical and commercial success. Cissy followed up with a number of other successful albums, including "Cissy Houston Sings" (1971), "For My Father" (1973), and "A Great Day for Singing" (1975).
Cissy is perhaps best known for her work with her daughter, Whitney Houston. Whitney was one of the most successful singers of all time, selling over 200 million records worldwide. Cissy sang on many of Whitney's biggest hits, including "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," "How Will I Know," and "The Greatest Love of All."
Cissy Houston is a true gospel legend. She has inspired generations of singers with her powerful voice and passionate performances. She is a role model for women everywhere, showing that it is possible to be a successful wife, mother, and career woman.
Cissy is still singing today. She performed at President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009. She also sang at the memorial service for her daughter, Whitney, in 2012.
Cissy is an amazing woman and an inspiration to us all. She is a true testament to the power of music.